The Transfer

Portland Timbers signing defender Ryan Miller

 American defender Ryan Miller is said to be joining Portland Timbers for the 2013 season from Halmstad in Sweden.

The 28-year old has previously been in MLS with both Columbus Crew and DC United, but was released ultimately by DC before moving to Sweden to play with Ljungskile in 2009.  He was then transferred to Halmstad in 2010 where he has played in 65 games for since 2010.

Miller was called up to play for the US Mens National team in 2010, but has yet to play any minutes for his country thus far.

Source: https://twitter.com/SoccerByIves/status/292349484086734848

Rumour: Could Nigel Reo-Coker be headed to MLS?

News of Nigel Reo-Coker considering MLS has dropped, after an apparent offer from coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the US Mens National Team.  Being married to an American, Reo-Coker would be eligible to play for the USA after a period of residency as he has not been capped by England at the mens level.

Portland Timbers and New York Red Bulls are being touted as the two MLS sides that are in the running for the 28-year old midfielders talent.

Currently unattached, a move to the US is a definite possibility.  He has apparently turned down a $2million offer from Bursaspor and a second club in Turkey.

“Reo-Coker’s desire to play here that he will accept a wage below that of Designated Player in his first year of a three year deal  to get his foot inside the MLS door and launch an international career.”

Reo-Coker started his professional football career for Wimbeldon, where he spent 5 years in their youth system before joining the first team in 2002.  He appeared in 58 games before moving to West Ham United in 2004 and finishing runners-up in the FA Cup finals in 2006/06.  Hitting the pitch in 120 fixtures for the Hammers, Reo-Coker then moved on to play in over 100 games for Aston Villa and another 37 with Bolton Wanderers.

With over 250 games played in the Premiership, he took a short 3-month spell with Championship side Ipswitch Town which was not extended.

Source: http://www.prostamerika.com/2013/01/17/timbers-lining-up-klinsmanns-favourite/76455?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Chris Boyd’s contract bought out by Portland Timbers

Designated Player, Chris Boyd has parted ways with Portland Timbers as his contract was bought out by the club.

Earning $1,515,000 in 2012, Boyd score d7 goals in 26 games for Portland.  Boyd has previously suited up for Rangers, Middlesbrough, Kilmarnock, and Nottingham Forest in the UK, as well as Eskisehirspor in Turkey.

Source: http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/01/breaking-timbers-part-ways-with-boyd.html

Portland Timbers trade Mike Fucito to San Jose

Mike Fucito is on the move again, this time after being traded from Portland Timbers to San Jose Earthquakes for a 2nd round pick in todays MLS SuperDraft.

Fucito spent 2009-2011 with Seattle Sounders, appearing in 23 games and scoring 3 goals.  Last season was split between Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers where he suited up in 13 games total games.

At 26, Fucito is a talented midfielder who can also play up top, though hasn’t found regular time in the starting XI at any of the organizations he’s been part of.

Source: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/01/timbers-acquire-second-round-pick-2013-mls-superdraft-san-jose-exchange-mike-fucito

Diego Valeri signs as Designated Player with Portland Timbers

Portland has finally announced the signing of Argentine midfielder Diego Valeri on loan from Club Atletico Lanus.

The 26-year old has played 3 games for Argentina since 2011 and has been with Lanus since 2003, though he’s been loaned out to multiple clubs during that time including Porto.

The deal is a 1-year loan that give Timbers a purchase option at the end of 2013.

Source: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/01/timbers-acquire-designated-player-diego-valeri

Diego Valeri to join Portland Timbers on 1-year loan

Argentinian midfielder Diego Valeri is set to join Portland for the 2013 MLS campaign after meeting with the club Wednesday in Oregon.

The deal is a 1-year loan that give Timbers a purchase option.  Valeri joins Portland from his hometown club Lanus, which he has been part of since 2003 where he’s tallied 26 goals in 156 games.

The 26-year old has previously played for Porto, seeing action in 12 games when they won the Portugese Cup in 2009.  He also spent 6 months on loan to Spanish side UD Almeria.

Valeri has returned to Buenos Aires pending receipt of a work visa.

Source: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/04/source-timbers-offering-loan-deal-argentine-mf-valeri

Rumour: Paddy McCourt To Join Portland Timbers

The Celtic winger has been linked with a possible move to Portland.

Capped by the Northern Ireland Mens team more than 10 times, McCourt has played all of his professional football in the United Kingdom.  Appearing in over 200 games since 2001, the 28-year old has previously been mentioned as a target for Premiership giants Liverpool.

With 29 goals for his club sides, McCourt is very strong on the ball with great technical ability.  His contract runs out in the summer of 2013 with the club is not expected to offer an extension.  Having only 2 starts this season, he may be moved during the upcoming transfer window.

Source: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/mccourt-latest-irish-star-to-weigh-up-mls-switch-3331007.html

Portland Timbers Win Lottery - Acquire Mobi Fehr

Portland had an 83.1% chance of landing the USA U-17 international in the MLS Weighted Allocation lottery this morning and unsurprisingly won, so Fehr will be joining the Oregonian side which he trained with earlier this year.

Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson noted “after having the opportunity to see him in training with the club this past season, we know him to be a quality player and look forward to seeing his continued development.”

Source: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2012/12/timbers-acquire-mobi-fehr-through-mls-weighted-lottery

Weighted Allocation Scheduled Tomorrow For Mobi Fehr

18-year old Mobi Fehr will join with one of three MLS clubs tomorrow as result of an Allocation process.

The former USA U-17 International defender signed a contract with MLS in November, and the Generation Adidas player will thus require Allocation to determine what organization he will become part of.

The weighted Allocation process only has 3 teams that chose to participate: San Jose Earthquakes (1.4%), Seattle Sounders (15.5%), and Portland Timbers (83.1%).  Fehr spent a couple of weeks training with Portland this year, and they are the obvious front-runners.

Having come up through Tokyo Verdy’s youth system and spending a short amount of time with FC Basel, Fehr thought MLS would be a good place to start his career.

Source: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/12/17/us-youth-intl-fehr-set-land-one-three-mls-teams

Rumour: Portland Timbers Moving To Acquire Mikkel Diskerud

The 22-year old midfielder currently plays for Rosenborg in the top flight of Norway.  He has played 11 times for the Norwegian side, after finishing a loan to Belgian club KAA Gent.

As a US Mens National Team player (with 3 senior caps since 2010), Diskerud would have to go through the MLS Allocation process.

Portland has positioned themselves with the 2nd overall spot in the allocation order after recent trades with both Toronto FC and Chivas USA.  It is sugested that part of TFC-Portland trade included agreement not to take Diskerud.

Diskerud could become re-united with coach Caleb Porter, who he played under with the United States U-23 team.

Source: http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/breaking-timbers-lining-up-move-for-diskerud.html